What if there is a fire?

If you are a mobility-impaired person on an upper floor, proceed to the stairwell landing on your floor and instruct someone to notify emergency response personnel of your location.

NO personnel will be allowed to re-enter the building without permission of University Police or the local fire department.

In the event of an actual fire:

Assist any person in immediate danger to safety, if it can be accomplished without risk to yourself.

Immediately activate the building fire alarm system. This will sound the fire alarm bells or electronic horns to evacuate the building and will automatically notify University Police. It is best to have these agencies respond and not be needed than it is to have them arrive too late for potential rescue.

Notify University Police of the location and size of the fire by calling 5222 or using an emergency telephone (which connects directly to University Police). Always call from a safe location.

When a fire alarm sounds, all personnel in the affected areas should evacuate the building immediately. However, if the fire is small enough and it is safe to do so, use a nearby fire extinguisher to control and extinguish the fire. Don't fight the fire if the fire is too large or out-of-control, if the atmosphere is toxic, or if you do not feel comfortable doing so.

To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS:

Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and release the locking mechanism.

Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.

Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.

Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.

If the first attempts to put out the fire do not succeed, evacuate the building immediately.

If possible, doors and windows should be closed as the last person leaves a room.

Do not use elevators--use building stairwells.

Upon evacuating the building, personnel shall proceed to the designated meeting area (at least 500 feet from the affected building) where the SOC coordinators can take a head count and account for all personnel.

NO personnel will be allowed to re-enter the building without permission of University Police or the local fire department.

What there is a flood or water leak?

Facilities Service Desk provides a courteous and knowledgeable point of contact between the Facilities Services and the University Community by providing customer service to the campus for all maintenance related projects under the coordination of Facilities Services. Work requests are received daily via phone, e-mail, or our web page; emergency work requirements are processed immediately and assigned to the appropriate Facilities units for prompt response and resolution.

All service calls will be responded to. Follow-ups to calls that may require lengthy repairs or delayed scheduled work will be reported to the calling department or person by the Facilities Service Desk. We welcome your inquiries, requests, and reports of facility problems via:

What if I have no heat in my room?

Facilities Service Desk provides a courteous and knowledgeable point of contact between the Facilities Services and the University Community by providing customer service to the campus for all maintenance related projects under the coordination of Facilities Services. Work requests are received daily via phone, e-mail, or our web page; emergency work requirements are processed immediately and assigned to the appropriate Facilities units for prompt response and resolution.

All service calls will be responded to. Follow-ups to calls that may require lengthy repairs or delayed scheduled work will be reported to the calling department or person by the Facilities Service Desk. We welcome your inquiries, requests, and reports of facility problems via:

If gunshots are heard within a building, individuals should close and lock or barricade their room doors and turn off the lights to that area. Faculty in classrooms should try and calm student fears and keep them as quiet as possible. Individuals should stay in the locked/barricaded room until informed by police that it is safe to come out of the area. If there are no telephones in the area, individuals should use their cell phones to notify police of the situation.

Under no circumstances should the fire alarm be activated or an attempt made to evacuate the building unless you are in the room or immediate area where the shots are being fired. Persons may be placed in harm’s way when they are attempting to evacuate the building. Should the fire alarm sound, do not evacuate the building unless:

You have first hand knowledge that there is a fire in the building, or

You have been advised by police to evacuate the building.

University Police will determine when it is safe to reenter the building. There is no specified time limit for when individuals will be permitted back into or exit the isolated area. This will depend solely upon the information received and the results of the findings of University Police.

What if there is severe weather?

Severe weather can strike with or without warning. In situations where there is advance warning (such as winter storms or hurricanes), the University will make every effort to close before dangerous travel conditions arise. However, since individuals will be arriving to the University from many different areas, personnel will make a closing or delay decision based on conditions in and around the campus. Students, faculty and staff need to make personal decisions that take into account their own comfort with the weather conditions, driving skill level, and their knowledge about how conditions might change or affect their travel routes.

The latest information on closings and delayed openings can be found via the following:

Montclair State University Web siteThe main Montclair State University Web site (www.montclair.edu) will post news announcements. View details about University closing produces at montclair.edu/closings.

Montclair State University Weather HotlineThe Montclair State University Weather Hotline 973 655-7810 provides a regularly updated recorded message.

Montclair State University E-mailBroadcast E-mail will be sent to all faculty, staff and student Montclair State University e-mail accounts using the allusers, allstudents, or announcement systems.

Radio Stations and TV The following local area radio and television stations are contacted with closing information:

Radio

Television

WINS - 1010 AM

News 12 New Jersey

WCBS - 880 AM

WCBS - Channel 2

WMSC - 90.3 FM

WNBC- Channel 4

HOT 97 - 97.1

FOX - Channel 5

WSKQ - 97.9

WABC - Channel 7

NJ - 101.5

News 12 - Channel 12

Univision - Channel 41

Calls to University Police regarding school closings tie up vital phone lines in emergency situations. Please do not contact the University Police to find out if school is closed. Instead, use the weather hotline or tune into one of the media outlets listed above.

ThunderstormsObserve the following rules if lightning is occurring or is impending:

Power down computers and turn other electrical equipment off (never unplug electrical cords if lightning is occurring).

Avoid water fixtures, telephone lines, and other electrical conducting materials.

Stay inside buildings and off campus grounds.

Although rare in our area, the following natural phenomena can occur:

TornadoesIf a tornado is spotted or imminent take the following steps immediately:

Evacuate all trailers and temporary structures. Proceed immediately to a structurally secure building.

Do not seek shelter in gyms, auditoriums, and other large open areas.

Go to the interior area of the building.

Take cover under a sturdy object.

Protect your head, neck, and face.

Stay away from windows and items that might fall.

Earthquakes

If an earthquake strikes while you are in a building, take cover immediately under a sturdy object covering your head, neck and face. Be prepared to move with the object. To the extent possible, stay away from windows and items that might fall.

Do not attempt an evacuation during the earthquake. Also be prepared for aftershocks.

In outdoor areas, stay away from power lines, buildings, and any objects that might fall. In an automobile, pull off the road away from overpasses, bridges, and large structures that might fall.

What if there is a hazardous material accident?

Procedures to be followed:

If a hazardous substance is discovered on the campus, the individual should immediately contact University Police and provide as much information as possible. At a minimum, the individual should provide a description of the substance (color and texture) and any specific characteristics (odor, smoke, etc.). Exposed individuals should quarantine themselves at a safe location.

If a telephone call or information is received stating hazardous materials (HAZMAT) is somewhere on the campus:

Recipient should write down the call as precisely as possible, noting time of call, length of call, any distinguishing characteristics of the caller’s voice, to include male/female, accent, age, etc., and the possible location.

Recipient should not hang up the phone when the call is completed. Keep the line open or place it on "hold".

Recipient should immediately contact University Police and advise the dispatcher of the call and provide detailed information.

When necessary and as directed, faculty and staff will inform students and others of the situation and ask them to leave all personal belongings, to include books, backpacks and coats in the isolated area and evacuate the room or area that is potentially affected.

Faculty and/or staff should be the last to leave the classroom/area and should conduct a quick review to assure the isolated area is evacuated.

All students, faculty, and staff will move to locations designated by emergency officials on site.

If a hazardous release occurs outdoors on the campus grounds or at a nearby location that may affect the campus, the following procedures will be taken:

An emergency lockdown order will be issued by University Police

The Physical Plant Department will shut down the appropriate utilities (ventilation, air conditioning, etc.) within the building to further prevent the air-borne spread of any substance.

What if I receive a bomb threat?

If a suspicious package is discovered on the campus, the individual making the discovery should immediately contact University Police and provide as much information as possible. At a minimum, the individual should provide a description of the suspicious package and any specific characteristics.

If a telephone call or information is received stating a bomb is somewhere on the campus:

Recipient should write down the call as precisely as possible, noting time of call, length of call, any distinguishing characteristics of the caller’s voice, including male/female, accent, age, etc., and the possible location. (Note: Use the attached checklist for bomb threats.)

Recipient should not hang up the phone when the call is completed. Keep the line open or place it on "hold".

Recipient should immediately contact the University Police and advise them of the call, and provide a detailed information.

Police will be posted to ensure no one enters the building(s) until emergency personnel arrive and the area is determined to be safe.

All students, faculty, and staff should vacate the affected buildings, and move to a safe location as designated by officials on site, staying at least 500 feet from the nearest building.

Only trained personnel should attempt to perform a methodical search of the buildings.

There is no specified time limit for when individuals will be permitted back into the isolated area. This will depend solely upon the information received and the results of the findings of University Police.

What if there is a civil disturbance or demonstration?

Montclair State University recognizes the rights of members of the University community to freedom of assembly and speech, and strongly believes in fostering discourse and the free exchange of ideas at the University. However, as a matter of law and University policy, these rights and interests are restricted, and must be exercised on University property in a manner consistent with the mission and operation of the University and the rights of other members of the University community.

Nonetheless members of the University community may not exceed the bounds of appropriate expression during the course of demonstrations by interfering with the educational activities and business of the University and with the rights of others. The Office of the Vice President for Student Development and Campus Life has established guidelines for demonstrations on University property. The full text of these guidelines can be found at http://www.montclair.edu/deanstudents/handbook.

What if I have a medical emergency?

If a medical emergency arises, take the following steps:

Protect victim from further injury.

Activate the Emergency Medical Services system by notifying University Police of the location, nature and extent of the injury by calling 973-655-5222 or by or using an emergency telephone (which connects directly to the University Police Department dispatcher). If off campus, dial 911.

If trained, provide first aid until help arrives.

Do not move the victim unless they are in imminent danger.

Send someone to direct emergency responders to the appropriate location, if possible.

CPR and first aid courses are taught on a regular basis by Montclair State University Emergency Medical Services. For more information, contact Montclair State EMS at extension 7836 or online at www.montclair.edu/ems.

Report as a "Jane/John Doe" victim: This allows the victim to have a forensic examination, but not file charges or release identity to anyone except the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. Evidence collected is stored for ninety days in case a victim chooses to file charges within that time period. The incident is reported to University Police for statistical purposes only, without revealing the victim’s identity. Community warnings will be issued in cases of non-acquaintance assault, when it is believed that the community may be in danger.

Seek sexual assault services off campus

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, tell someone immediately! Montclair State Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) can help a victim only if a member of the team is notified. Notify Montclair State SART by contacting University Police at 973-655-5222 or the Health and Wellness Center at 973-655-4361.

Contacting Montclair State University SART does not mean someone has to be charged with a crime. It does mean that victim will be offered appropriate care. Anyone can notify Montclair State SART about a sexual assault. If someone prefers not to contact University Police or the Health and Wellness Center, other choices are the Dean of Students, the Women’s Center, Counseling and Psychology Services or Residence Life staff. All members of these departments have thorough knowledge of Montclair State SART and can be helpful in assisting a victim.